Josh Norris is still hoping to get his Sabres career started after leaving Senators

BUFFALO, N.Y.

Its been nearly three weeks since Josh Norris was traded from the Ottawa Senators to a division rival.

Just like his trade counterpart , Dylan Cozens, he had March 25 circled on his calendar as a chance to play against his former team.

But unlike Cozens, Norris wont play on Tuesday night at the KeyBank Center.

Norris is still trying to get going with his Sabres tenure, which has somewhat mirrored his career to this point: plagued by injury.

Advertisement In Norriss three games with Buffalo, he has one goal and an assist.

He scored that goal in his last game played before being sidelined with a nagging mid-body injury.

Norris said it was playing through an accumulation of games that led to him re-aggravating it, and Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed its an injury hes been dealing with since he was still in Ottawa colors.

Its always frustrating to be hurt, Norris said.

I wanted to come in here and just join the team and be here for the rest of the year.

But at the same time, Ive got to be smart about it too.

Injuries have been a massive part of Norris career since his NHL debut with Ottawa during the 2019-20 season.

The center has had three shoulder surgeries and has yet to play more than 66 games in a season.

But Norris was still an important part of the Senators core of young talent through their rebuild.

He scored a career-best 35 goals during the 2021-22 season and was an all-situations player for them while occupying a role in the middle of their lineup.

Its what made it all the more surprising when Norris was told minutes before practice on March 7 that his time in Ottawa had come to an end.

It was kind of a shock when it happened, Norris said.

Of course, many on social media caught former teammate Brady Tkachuk in tears while discussing the trade after it happened.

Norris still holds a place in the Sens locker room, and spent time with his former teammates and team staff on Monday night ahead of the game.

Our relationship will never change, Tkachuk said Tuesday.

Just to always have him as a sounding board, even now.

And for me, for him as well.

I know hes battling through some stuff right now, so just to be there for him.

It (was) so raw and emotional the first day just not being able to see him every day would suck.

But it hasnt changed our relationship one bit.

Still talk to him all the time.

Of course, I wish he was still playing tonight so we could battle each other.

Advertisement Norris still keeps tabs on his former teammates in their pursuit of the playoffs.

The hardest part (of leaving Ottawa) was just the relationships that you kind of have to, not walk away from, but its not going to be the same ever again, he said.

But thats part of life.

I enjoyed my time there.

Have a lot of great memories and the start of my career.

Made a lot of really good friends.

Its part of the business.

Theres a team that wanted me and a team that traded a really good player for me.

Im really happy to be here and just do my best.

The guys have been great so far, and its a good group here.

Before Norris got injured, he worked to establish chemistry with Tage Thompson.

Norriss first point as a Sabre was a primary assist on a Thompson goal.

Thompson returned the favour when he picked up a secondary assist on Norriss lone marker with Buffalo.

New linemates new besties Watch Josh Norris' mic'd up video, featuring Tage https://t.co/qcdWCBfpUf pic.twitter.com/mELLRc0RK2 Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 14, 2025 Really fast, good compete, works extremely hard and has a lot of skill, Thompson told The Athletic about Norris.

I think I see that very quickly.

I think those arent those arent things that you need a lot of games to see.

I think its been a seamless transition for him, too.

Hes been a great guy in the locker room.

Fits in really well with us.

I think that can be a tough thing, having to pick up and move and go to a new environment, a bunch of new faces.

But hes been great in the locker room.

Obviously, were missing him right now out of the lineup which is tough for us.

But hes been great for us the short amount of time that hes been here.

Even if Norris was healthy, the Sabres are destined for a 14th consecutive year without the playoffs.

But some feel Norris could make a difference for the Sabres as early as next year.

Advertisement I think hes the missing piece for what this team needs, Tkachuk said.

I think just as the person and player that he is, hes going to really help this team win.

Hes a guy that can make plays and hes got a really good shot and he can finish, Thompson said.

I think for us, our identity here is our speed.

Weve got a lot of fast guys in our group that like to play offense.

I think thats kind of his MO.

I think itll fit in well and I think thats what everyones looking forward to.

(Photo of Josh Norris, far right, celebrating his first goal as a Sabre: Lon Horwedel / Imagn Images).

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